I have notice from Senator McGowan regarding a motion he wishes to move under Standing Order 29. I call on Senator McGowan to give notice before I give my ruling.
Request under Standing Order 29.
I am disappointed as I expected the Minister to be in the House to take this motion.
It is the Chair that takes the motion.
Is there anyone from the Department of Social Welfare prepared to take notice of the motion?
The Senator will raise the issue with the Chair which will then make its ruling.
I appreciate that, but there is no one from the Government side present at all.
I will have to ask the Senator to raise the matter.
I want to put on record that I did not mislead the House.
The Senator will have to raise the matter he submitted under Standing Order 29.
I wish to move the following motion under Standing Order 29:
The anomaly in the Students' Summer Job Scheme whereby students have been directed by the Department of Social Welfare to apply for unemployment assistance rather than the scheme.
When students go to an unemployment exchange to apply for assistance they are disqualified through means testing. I was accused yesterday of making a misleading statement. I did not make any misleading statement, because I have documentation to prove beyond doubt——
The Senator has stated the matter submitted under Standing Order 29. We cannot discuss it any further.
Why is there no Government representative present?
The Senator has raised his item under Standing Order 29 and I will now give him my decision. I ask him to resume his seat.
I will resume my seat. I would appreciate if you would guide me——
I have given careful consideration to the matter raised by Senator McGowan and I do not consider it to be a matter contemplated under Standing Order 29. Therefore, I regret I have to rule it out of order.
Sitting suspended at 12.35 p.m. and resumed at 2 p.m.